Kevin Alston takes leave of absence from team

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution defender Kevin Alston has been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare but treatable form of leukemia, and has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team to undergo treatment.

Alston’s medical treatment is not expected to require hospitalization and he expects to return to the team in the future, however, he and his family have requested privacy while he undergoes treatment.

"The Revolution fully supports Kevin as he begins treatment," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "Right now, the most important thing for Kevin, and his family, is to concentrate on returning to full health. Kevin's had a tremendous attitude since the diagnosis and his positivity is an inspiration for all of us.”

More information about CML can be found at the National CML Society’s site. Major strides in research and treatment of CML have been made in recent years.

Alston, 24, has started all four of the Revs’ games this season at left back. In his career, he has started all 116 games in which he’s played since New England drafted him 10th overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of Indiana University. He ranks ninth on the Revs’ career charts in games played, and eighth in games started. Alston also started the 2010 MLS All-Star Game.